Sean Dyche admitted earlier in the week that he didn’t have a clue about when Everton would hear the outcome of their appeal for their ten-point deduction. For now, all they can do is deliver on the pitch and control what they can.
And with 17 minutes to go here, centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite produced a strikers finish that looked all but set to end their run of eight league games without a win, only for Lewis Dunk to equalise in injury time and rescue a point for ten-man Brighton, after Billy Gilmour was sent off.
It had started off as an afternoon of celebration for Brighton on the south coast. They make a point of celebrating in these parts.
When Alexis Mac Allister returned after winning the World Cup, a wonderful video did the rounds of the Argentinian arriving back to the training ground, where all the players and staff greeted him.
And after Simon Adingra’s success at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, the 22-year-old was given the honour of walking out with his medal before the rest of the players appeared.
Lewis Dunk’s stoppage-time header rescued a point for Brighton against Everton at the Amex
The 32-year-old denied Sean Dyche’s side their first Premier League win since December
Brighton made two changes from victory at Sheffield United with Kaoru Mitoma missing out with a back injury.
In came Evan Ferguson and Igor Julio replaced Adam Webster at the back, while Dyche made one alteration as Jack Harrison came in for Ashley Young from Monday’s draw against Crystal Palace.
It was Adingra who provided the brightest spark of a first half where Brighton dominated possession but failed to make it count.
The winger was electric down the left flank, regularly causing problems for Ben Godfrey but credit to Everton for their solidity with their defensive structure.
The closest Brighton came was from setpieces, with both Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke heading straight at Jordan Pickford from corners, while Danny Welbeck failed to make the most out of his openings
At the other end, a crucial tackle in the box from Dunk denied Abdoulaye Doucoure a clear strike on goal before Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed wide from Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross.
Idrissa Gueye was forced off early in the second half after feeling something and on came Amadou Onana but Everton could have been down to ten men had Tarkowski picked up a second yellow for bringing down Welbeck.
Instead, it was Roberto De Zerbi who was booked for his complaints.
Minutes later, Everton nearly broke the deadlock through a superb volley from Doucoure that all but beat Bart Verbruggen, only for Tariq Lamptey to superbly head away on the goalline.
On the hour mark, De Zerbi made a triple substitution as Brighton pushed but still Everton held firm, throwing bodies on the line with Tarkowski’s last-gasp block denying Ansu Fati.
Dyche threw on Beto, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin now without a goal in 20 games.
And then the moment came as Pickford launched a free-kick up, that fell to the feet of Branthwaite, who took one touch with his right foot, before arrowing a left-footed strike into the top corner.
The 3,000 fans who had made the 550-mile round trip bounced with joy on the South Stand, just like they did last May when Everton put five past Brighton here. The entirety of the away dugout, leaped out of their seats.
Jarrad Branthwaite had given the Toffee’s the lead with a superb finish on 73 minutes
It was the defender’s second goal of the season, after netting against Spurs earlier this month
Billy Gilmour was sent off after a clumsy challenge on Amadou Onana in the closing stages
But, even reduced to ten men, the hosts pressed on and were rewarded with Dunk’s header
It went from bad to worse for the home side as Gilmour was given a straight red card by referee Tony Harrington for a nasty tackle on Onana, before Branthwaite made a stunning block to deny Dunk.
With the man advantage, Everton really should have seen it out. Nine minutes were added on and in the fifth, Pascal Gross’s cross was met by a leaping Dunk who guided a superb header past Pickford.
The first headed goal Everton have conceded all season. A terrible time to do so. And an opportunity missed for three points, no doubt.
